Skip Global navigation and goto content

It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Skip MegaMenu and goto content
Left navigation requires javascript to be enabled in your browser.

Birth Certificates

Office of Vital Statistics

The Office of Vital Statistics is responsible for the recording and issuance of Certified Copies of Birth Certificates. To protect the privacy of sensitive information and to prevent identity theft, birth certificates are not public records. As required by state law, we restrict access to these certificates, but they are readily available to individuals, family members, guardians, or beneficiaries. We require individuals to produce photo identification and/or other documentation before releasing these confidential records or portions of the records.

The birth certificate for a newborn is not automatically mailed to the parent following birth. The parent must apply for the birth certificate through a Florida Department of Health's Vital Statistics office and pay the fee.

Computer Copies

A computer generated birth certificate that contains a State File Number and embossed seal is accepted as an official certification of birth and is recognized by all agencies.

  • Computer copy of birth certificates of all Florida births from 1917 to the present are available for a cost of $15 for each certified copy.
  • Additional computer copies for the same person on the same day are $8 each.

Requesting Birth Certificates

Birth certificates are commonly requested for identification, to prove citizenship, and for other purposes. The State Office of Vital Statistics, located at 1217 Pearl St., Jacksonville, FL, maintains the original copies of birth records from all counties within the State of Florida. DOH-Seminole provides you with a certified certificate that you can legally keep and use.

How to Obtain a Copy of a Birth Certificate

There are three ways you can purchase a state of Florida birth certificate with the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

  1. In-Person
  2. Mail
    • Download and complete the Birth Certificate Application (Spanish).
    • $15 Fee for one certified copy.
    • Copy of a valid ID.
      • If you do not have a valid ID, please call 407-665-3226 to determine if another form of identification can be substituted.
    • Mail completed application, copy of a valid ID, and payment to:
      • Florida Department of Health in Seminole County
        Attention: Vital Statistics
        400 West Airport Blvd.
        Sanford, FL 32773
  3. Online
    • Birth certificates can be ordered online at VitalChek, or by calling 877-550-7330.
    • $15 Fee for one certified copy.
    • Additional fee for VitalChek services.
    • Copy of a valid ID.

Who Can Obtain a Copy of a Birth Certificate?

Births less than 125 years old are confidential and may only be issued to:

  • Individuals 18 years of age and older may obtain their own certificate.
  • Parents or guardians (with court documents showing legal custody).
  • Attorneys representing children and adolescents under 18 (with required documentation).
  • By court order (must provide copy of court order).
  • Upon receipt of registrant’s death record, a birth certificate marked “Deceased” may be issued to the spouse, child, grandchild, or sibling, if age 18 or older. (Please notate “Registrant Deceased” on the application and include a photocopy of the death certificate.)

If applicant is not one of the above, the application must be accompanied with a notarized Affidavit to Release a Birth Certificate (DH Form 1958) signed by one of the above, along with any supporting documentation and a copy of valid photo ID of both the person authorizing release and the applicant.

Required Information

  • A valid form of photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID).
  • A completed Birth Certificate Application (Spanish).
  • Full name of the person on the certificate.
  • Date of birth.
  • County of birth.
  • Mother’s full name (including maiden name).
  • Father’s full name (if applicable).

Ordering a Florida Birth Certificate

Any person who willfully and knowingly provides any false information on a certificate, record, or report, required by Chapter 382, Florida Statutes, or on an application or affidavit, or who obtains confidential information from any vital record under false or fraudulent purposes, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in Chapter 775, F.S.

Limited births were recorded between 1850 and 1917.

Birth Certificates for Other States

For information on obtaining vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce) for other states, visit the National Center for Health Statistics.